Grassley Applauds National Science Foundation Award to Support Sustained Rural Prosperity, Unlock Innovation and Boost Bioeconomy

Grassley Applauds National Science Foundation Award to Support Sustained Rural Prosperity, Unlock Innovation and Boost Bioeconomy

RuralSTAMINA program is led by Iowa State University

WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded an announcement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that the RuralSTAMINA program would receive a Regional Innovation Engines award of $15 million over two years. The program could receive up to $160 million over the next decade. In September, RuralSTAMINA was chosen as an NSF engines finalist. This award reflects the cutting edge leadership of Iowa State University and its regional partners, including the University of Iowa, to accelerate the bioeconomy by expanding biomanufacturing capacity, supporting technology commercialization, strengthening workforce development and creating new economic opportunities for producers, entrepreneurs and communities.

"I'm very glad to see this funding headed to support such an important effort here in Iowa. Our family farmers feed and fuel the world, and their productivity creates a lot of feedstock. With the RuralSTAMINA program, we can leverage Iowa's agriculture abundance, innovation and advanced biomanufacturing to create new value-added products. I congratulate Iowa State University and its regional partners, including the University of Iowa, for their expertise and collaboration to harness the local workforce and accelerate the bioeconomy in rural communities across the state," Grassley said.

Background:
The NSF Engines program aims to build and scale regional innovation ecosystems nationwide. Each NSF Engine is powered by a broad coalition of private sector, regional and scientific leaders and organizations to accelerate breakthrough emerging technology R&D that drives growth and ultimately bolsters U.S. economic competitiveness and national security.

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